Maverick Magazine Fall 2022: Preparing Teachers to Succeed in Teaching English as a New Language

“It’s my favorite quote,” said Penelope Ferreras ’20, M.S. ’21, who earned her Spanish bilingual extension certificate in 2022 from Mercy College’s School of Education. “I had a poster of it hanging on my classroom wall last year to inspire my students.”

As people immigrate to the United States — whether by choice or necessity — local communities try to address the educational needs of these children and families. Teacher education programs play a role by preparing teachers to work in effective, affirming ways with students who are learning English as a new language. In the New York City area, there is a particular need for bilingual educators and other educators certified to teach English as a new language. And given that English continues to be the dominant global language of business, there is demand across the world for teachers who can teach English as a new language.

Mercy College’s School of Education offers several relevant programs: a bilingual extension certificate for certified teachers, an advanced certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), a master’s degree in TESOL and a dual degree program in Spanish and TESOL. In addition, every education student at Mercy takes at least one course in teaching English as a new language. “New York State has taken a very proactive position that all teachers are teachers of English as a new language,” explained Victoria Núñez, Ph.D., assistant professor, Literacy and Multilingual Studies.

To read the full Maverick Magazine article, "Preparing Teachers to Succeed in Teaching English as a New Language," please click here. 

To read the full fall 2022 Maverick Magazine, please click here.